Photos: Tips on getting ready for a hurricane

CaptionCreate a family plan

David Carson, MCT

Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so it is important to plan in advance: how you will contact one another; how you will get back together; and what you will do in different situations. -- Ready.gov

Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so it is important to plan in advance: how you will contact one another; how you will get back together; and what you will do in different situations. -- Ready.gov (David Carson, MCT)

Review insurance policies, including windstorm, flood and homeowner's policies. If you are a renter, be sure your policy covers damage from a storm. Take an inventory of possessions, particularly valuables. Take photos or videos of each room in case you need to identify lost property or...

Review insurance policies, including windstorm, flood and homeowner's policies. If you are a renter, be sure your policy covers damage from a storm. Take an inventory of possessions, particularly valuables. Take photos or videos of each room in case you need to identify lost property or... (BW)

Gather prescription medicines, batteries, a manual can opener, flashlight, portable radio, cash, a first-aid kit, a change of clothes, food and water packets, and blankets. Put important papers and medical records in a waterproof container, which can be taken with you if you evacuate. Be aware...

Gather prescription medicines, batteries, a manual can opener, flashlight, portable radio, cash, a first-aid kit, a change of clothes, food and water packets, and blankets. Put important papers and medical records in a waterproof container, which can be taken with you if you evacuate. Be aware... (Mike Stocker/Sun Sentinel file)

Make sure panel or accordion shutters are clean, ready for installation or to be pulled shut. If you dont have shutters, consider plywood. Make sure your roof and the general structure of your house is in good order. Here, Key West artist and co-owner of Guild Hall Gallery on Duval Street...

Make sure panel or accordion shutters are clean, ready for installation or to be pulled shut. If you dont have shutters, consider plywood. Make sure your roof and the general structure of your house is in good order. Here, Key West artist and co-owner of Guild Hall Gallery on Duval Street... (Taimy Alvarez/Sun Sentinel file)

Plan to have at least three — and preferably five — days worth of food and water (at least one gallon of water for each member of the family per day). Canned goods and other foods that wont spoil are recommended. Consider canned nuts, beans, fruits, vegetables, soft drinks and power bars....

Plan to have at least three — and preferably five — days worth of food and water (at least one gallon of water for each member of the family per day). Canned goods and other foods that wont spoil are recommended. Consider canned nuts, beans, fruits, vegetables, soft drinks and power bars.... (Bonnie Trafelet, Chicago Tribune)